A fresh attitude for Lexus has been captured in these spy shots, as the sometimes-staid luxury brand is reinforcing its performance credentials on the Nürburgring. The photos illustrate the evolution of the IS-F, which will get a convertible variant to complement the sedan.

It is expected that the IS-F convertible will get the four-door's 5.0-liter V8 working in tandem with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. In the sedan, the engine is rated at 416 hp at 6,600 rpm and 371 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm. It can sprint to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds en route to a 170-mph top speed.

This convertible will serve as a halo for the IS line, as the brand attempts to demonstrate its mettle against the vaunted German performance shops of BMW M and Mercedes-Benz AMG.

These spy shots depict quad exhaust tips and a large wing in the rear. The Lexus badge is clearly visible on the grille below the dark tape, and, not surprisingly, this machine will employ a retractable hardtop.